Heard on Radiolab….

In this hour of Radiolab, we examine the line between language and music.

We re-imagine the disastrous debut of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring in 1913 through the lens of modern neurology, and we meet a composer who uses computers to capture the musical DNA of dead composers in order to create new work.

Have you RSVP’d to our member BBQ scheduled for this Saturday (August 21) at Bruce Karlin’s house?  If not, we’d appreciate your letting us know your intentions (so we can plan appropriate quantities of food and refreshments) by clicking on the link below to respond on-line ::
http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/QIACNFTMBPAFAYCYDHYI/msoparty

Did  you know?

• The net cost (i.e. – after ticket sales and other direct income) of each MSO concert is approximately $5,000 ?
• Each MSO concert features approximately 40 non-professional performers (that’s probably you) ?
• Each year, it costs approximately $500 per member to support the orchestra’s operations ?
• Through this past season, qualified members of the community could play in the orchestra without any financial or volunteer obligations?

The past several years have been financially challenging for many non-profit organizations, and the the MSO is no different.  Our financial challenges have been amplified, however, by the absence of any significant institutional information and processes despite almost 30 years of existence.  On a more positive note, we have an incredibly talented, passionate and devoted maestro at our musical helm — a tremendous asset that deserves more than being mired in operational mediocrity!

The 2009-10 concert season was a year of observation and assessment.  The lessons learned have resulted in a series of changes intended to bring better stability and balance to the orchestra’s ongoing operations.  In the years ahead, the MSO should not only set its sights on substantially improving its core operations, but ultimately expanding our programming.  We need our members to step up to the plate, however, to make this happen.

Summary of Key Changes

We’ll talk more about these key changes at our upcoming BBQ, but the basic theme is this — membership in the MSO must include more than coming to rehearsals and playing in 1 or 2 concerts.

As noted above, it costs the organization approximately $500 per member to operate on an annual basis.  Starting this season, each member will be called upon to defray a larger portion of this cost.  Fear not, however, as what we’re asking of you should not result in any heavy burdens.

We’re starting by establishing a minimum annual dues payment of $50 for each member.  The next part is slightly more interesting — each member must pick from a variety of options to further underwrite the remaining annual cost of their “seat” in the orchestra.  These can include one or more of the following:

• securing corporate advertising or underwriting support
• purchasing admissions tickets for concerts (encourage others to buy tickets, buy them yourself and donate them to a worthy organization, or give them away to your friends and family)
• making a voluntary financial contribution in your name, or in the name of others you wish to honor or memorialize
• serving in one of the 15+ newly created volunteer roles that carries specific responsibilities around each concert (monetary credit applied for each position)

The bottom line?  We simply need a tiny bit of your time (or money) to secure our future.  That’s all it’s going to take to position this organization for 30 more years of success.  Stay tuned for more details.

Please see 2010-2011 Season and Support MSO – Volunteer pages for additional details.

Jack Speranza

Kadar Qian, 12, of Westford, won the 2009 Metrowest Symphony concerto competition and performed the 1st Movement of the Prokofiev 3rd Piano Concerto with the MSO in March.

Click here to see Kadar play the Prokofiev!

Last year he was the youngest performer ever to win the Quincy Symphony Orchestra concerto competition. He received a $1,000 Scholarship and was the featured soloist at the QSO annual Young Artist Performs concert last April, performing the complete Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2, which he also performed with the Salem Philharmonic in January, 2010. He took first prize in his age division in the 2009 Steinway Society of Massachusetts piano competition. He also won 2nd Prize in the 2009 Nashoba Youth Orchestra concerto competition.

Kadar has studied piano since age 4 with Ronald Kmiec and has given more than 40 performances in Boston, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Littleton, Salem, Quincy, and Westford, MA, and New York City. His first solo recital was in February, 2008. He appeared at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in May of 2008, being selected in competitive auditions from over 600 musicians nationwide, and has performed at Jordan Hall, Boston. He currently takes a Piano Seminar Course and Chamber Music classes at NEC, has performed in contemporary and chamber music festival concerts there, and pursues independent study in music analysis and conducting with Yoichi Udagawa.

Kadar is a high honor roll student at Stony Brook School in Westford. He runs cross country and track, is a member of the math team, winning first place at the Academic Math League competition last year, and is also a member of the speech and debate team. Kadar also plays the violin and is the concert master in his school orchestra.

Thank You to Everyone Who Participated in the Raffle!
On behalf of the Metrowest Symphony Orchestra, I would like to thank you for your recent contribution, and earning the chance to be  one of just 40 people eligible to receive a 3-day luxury get-a-way in Manhattan.

Our drawing was held on Monday evening, and I’m happy to announce that Marjorie Sisitsky (or her guests) will be spending New Year’s Eve just blocks from Times Square.  We’ll all be looking for photos, Marjorie!

I hope you will join me in feeling that we are all winners thanks to your support of the Orchestra.  We look forward to seeing you at our Family Concert on Sunday March 7, 2010!  Our best wishes to you and your family for the New Year.
Jack Speranza
President, Metrowest Symphony Orchestra

A three day getaway is waiting for you Dec 30th – Jan 1st at New York’s desirable Manhattan Club.   Whether you are planning an intimate trip for two or a celebration with friends, the Manhattan Club timeshare’s premiere location and high-end style will be the perfect home away from home for your New Year’s Eve celebration.

The incredible opportunity to rent this timeshare and ring in 2010 in NYC is a steal at $1,500. All proceeds will be donated to support the Metrowest Symphony Orchestra.    For more information please contact fundraising@metrowestsymphony.org.

The Manhattan Club is located in one of New York City’s most desirable locations neighboring Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, the Broadway theater district and the world’s most desirable shopping areas.   All forms of public transportation are just outside the door.

Welcome to the 36th season of the Metrowest Symphony Orchestra (or 29th, depending upon where you want to start counting from). Having just been asked to join the Board last year, it was with mixed feelings that I agreed to assume the Presidency from Janet Repucci, a long-time orchestra member who jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire last year to guide the organization through some trying times.

I am both honored and humbled to have been asked to serve both the organization and our community in this role, and with the help of the Board of Directors and devoted members, hope to continue guiding the Orchestra forward in the months to come.

We hope you’ll check in from time to time to share your experiences, musings and critiques. We also hope you’ll make it a point to join us on November 1 for our season opener!